You linger outside Sonic’s door, internally debating if this is worth it. You’re cold, wired, and the dream’s still clinging to your brain like static. But waking up the world’s fastest hedgehog? There’s a good chance you’ll get yelled at before comforted.

Still, your feet betray you—and you knock.

There’s a long pause. Nothing.

You knock again.

Something crashes inside. Then a muffled groan.

A moment later, the door opens about six inches. Sonic’s head pokes out, fur tousled, one eye half-lidded and the other suspiciously alert. He’s clearly just been yanked out of very good sleep.

“…You better be a burglar or a ghost,” he grumbles. “Or this is gonna be a serious waste of me being vertical right now.”

“Hi. It’s me,” you mutter, sheepish. “Had a nightmare. Can’t sleep.”

Sonic blinks blearily. “So your brain decided, ‘Hey, let’s wake up Sonic—he loves getting yanked out of REM cycles.’”

You wince. “I can leave—”

“Nah, nah.” He sighs, rubbing his face. “Hang on.”

The door swings wider. He trudges back inside like someone who absolutely didn’t ask to be emotionally available at 2 a.m., flops on the couch, then gestures vaguely toward the spot next to him. “Sit down before I change my mind and start snoring on you.”

You sit.

He eyes you for a moment, still foggy. “…You okay?”

“Honestly? No. It was one of those dreams that gets under your skin. Like you wake up and still feel it breathing on your neck.”

Sonic exhales, eyes finally starting to adjust to the light. “I get those. Had one where Knuckles was president. Whole planet exploded in week two.”

You laugh—quiet but real.

He leans his head back. “Look… I’m not great at this ‘feelings’ thing. But you’re not alone. I’m here. Even if I’m grumpy about it.”

You glance sideways. “I mean, you didn’t have to let me in.”

“Yeah, well,” he mutters, stretching his legs out with a yawn, “you looked like you needed someone who wouldn’t ask ten questions or force-feed you tea. Just sit with me a while. You’ll feel better.”

And… you do. Even in silence. Even with him yawning every 30 seconds. Sonic might not say much, but his presence says plenty.

And for tonight? That’s more than enough.